How much exercise is too much — and how do you know if you’re pushing yourself too hard? How does exercise relate to heart health — and how do you keep your workouts safe? Here’s what experts know so far.

Exercise benefits you may have forgotten about

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You know exercise can probably help you lose weight, prompt you to sleep better, and make you feel more energized through the day. Working out on a regular basis can also:

Decrease your cancer risk

Reduce your risk of diabetes

Make your bones and muscles stronger

Improve your mental health

Help you live longer.

However, these benefits don’t always apply to people who exercise too much. People who consistently overdo it often experience fatigue, mental exhaustion, and sleep problems. Working out too much can also increase your risk of muscle tears, stress fractures, broken bones, and even heart problems.

Is exercise bad for your heart?

Not usually — especially in moderate amounts. In fact, exercise is one of the best ways you can strengthen your heart and decrease your overall disease risk.

It’s when you exercise more than you should — possibly because you believe it will increase the benefits to your health, even though it won’t — that your heart starts to suffer.

Your heart is a muscle, and works hard to do its job. When you consistently overwork it without allowing it to rest, it gets tired. A tired heart can’t do its job as efficiently, and you risk damaging the muscle — and endangering your life.

People who don’t exercise are much more likely to develop heart problems than people who work out regularly — without overdoing it. So how do you find that balance — working out “enough” without exercising too much? Thankfully, there are guidelines to help you figure out what works best.

It’s also recommended that you vary your workouts and incorporate both cardio and strength training into your weekly exercise routine. This ensures your whole body benefits from exercise while you continue to burn calories, build muscle, and get stronger inside and out.

Like following a healthy diet — more servings of healthy food won’t necessarily make you healthier — more exercise is not always better. If you’re concerned about your heart health, exercise often — but not for hours at a time. Put in the effort, but don’t take it too far.